Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP here. I’m not offended by the replies. I knew I was asking for it posting on a public forum about a dog. Haha I actually thought it would be worse.

I appreciate all the ideas. I have to add that we had a dog for 13 years before this. None of my kids have known life without a dog outside of the small break we took. They all had a dog from birth. They sat by our dying dog in our house. So I don’t feel I did or didn’t do anything to make them love or hate the dog. Not everyone is going to be a dog person. I am not yet I grew up with dogs and we also fostered puppies. But having a lot of kids and a lot of family life just made my dog tolerance lower over the years. We happen to get an annoying high needs dog.

I don’t see myself really getting rid of her. I just needed to vent. It’s little things. Our house backs to a street so even if she’s in our fenced backyard, she barks at people walking by. One night I got shamed by a neighbor when she barked and so now I’m stressed about even letting her out in the morning or at night in my own yard and she start barking and I can’t get back in fast enough.

OP, please don’t take this the wrong way. Have you considered anxiety meds for yourself?

She has 6 kids and an annoying dog! She doesn’t need medication, she needs to lighten the load.

OF COURSE she’s irritated, anxious and annoyed! This is a shitty situation.

OP here- this is hilarious! I don’t know, who isn’t stressed right now? And I was probably PMSing when I wrote this.

Not sure if the responses got more helpful or critical but I appreciate the responses.

The bottom line is we made this choice and we will live with it. It’s definitely not true that she’s neglected or unloved. The (non teen) kids love her a lot and considering the things I do I wouldn’t call her neglected. I agree that maybe we did something wrong to cause annoying behaviors but at the same time I have high need kids and sometimes there isn’t much you can do to change their personality. I would say that overall there isn’t a lot that many dog owners deal with. I think that my tolerance is lower than most and my anxiety a bit higher right now.

As we settle into the school year at home, the kids will work on walking breaks and I will direct my most interested kid to the Cesar videos. We will also discuss meds when we head to vet next time.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP here. I’m not offended by the replies. I knew I was asking for it posting on a public forum about a dog. Haha I actually thought it would be worse.

I appreciate all the ideas. I have to add that we had a dog for 13 years before this. None of my kids have known life without a dog outside of the small break we took. They all had a dog from birth. They sat by our dying dog in our house. So I don’t feel I did or didn’t do anything to make them love or hate the dog. Not everyone is going to be a dog person. I am not yet I grew up with dogs and we also fostered puppies. But having a lot of kids and a lot of family life just made my dog tolerance lower over the years. We happen to get an annoying high needs dog.

I don’t see myself really getting rid of her. I just needed to vent. It’s little things. Our house backs to a street so even if she’s in our fenced backyard, she barks at people walking by. One night I got shamed by a neighbor when she barked and so now I’m stressed about even letting her out in the morning or at night in my own yard and she start barking and I can’t get back in fast enough.

OP, please don’t take this the wrong way. Have you considered anxiety meds for yourself?

She has 6 kids and an annoying dog! She doesn’t need medication, she needs to lighten the load.

OF COURSE she’s irritated, anxious and annoyed! This is a shitty situation.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I doubt the contract is legally enforceable. This fog is making your life very difficult and we are still on SAH. I would find a way to rehome the dog. You don’t know what might be happening with your 5 other kids while all your attention goes to a dog. BTW our dog loves her crate and sleeps in it every night. Not real sanitary having a dog in your bed.

She’s been sleeping on their floor.

The contract makes it sound like if they find out you did anything against it then you could face fines or whatever. So I didn’t think we could give her away randomly or drop her at the shelter. Haha

Anonymous wrote:OP here. I’m not offended by the replies. I knew I was asking for it posting on a public forum about a dog. Haha I actually thought it would be worse.

I appreciate all the ideas. I have to add that we had a dog for 13 years before this. None of my kids have known life without a dog outside of the small break we took. They all had a dog from birth. They sat by our dying dog in our house. So I don’t feel I did or didn’t do anything to make them love or hate the dog. Not everyone is going to be a dog person. I am not yet I grew up with dogs and we also fostered puppies. But having a lot of kids and a lot of family life just made my dog tolerance lower over the years. We happen to get an annoying high needs dog.

I don’t see myself really getting rid of her. I just needed to vent. It’s little things. Our house backs to a street so even if she’s in our fenced backyard, she barks at people walking by. One night I got shamed by a neighbor when she barked and so now I’m stressed about even letting her out in the morning or at night in my own yard and she start barking and I can’t get back in fast enough.

Anonymous wrote:You tuff it out. You adopted that dog. You choose to have six kids and cannot handle it all. Grow up and figure it out.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Well, my anxious, high needs cat is now on Prozac and that has transformed her into a nice kitty, so maybe talk to your vet about that?

(I know this cements my status as a crazy cat lady, but it really has stopped the scratching, howling, and inappropriate peeing).

That's a great idea! I posted before to rehome your dog, but then read your post about your child how loves her participating in her care. For this child's sake, maybe try anti-anxiety meds?

Also, have you tried doggy diapers? I have an incontinent dog, and diapers have been a lifesaver. I bought washable ones and they work well.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP here. I’m not offended by the replies. I knew I was asking for it posting on a public forum about a dog. Haha I actually thought it would be worse.

I appreciate all the ideas. I have to add that we had a dog for 13 years before this. None of my kids have known life without a dog outside of the small break we took. They all had a dog from birth. They sat by our dying dog in our house. So I don’t feel I did or didn’t do anything to make them love or hate the dog. Not everyone is going to be a dog person. I am not yet I grew up with dogs and we also fostered puppies. But having a lot of kids and a lot of family life just made my dog tolerance lower over the years. We happen to get an annoying high needs dog.

I don’t see myself really getting rid of her. I just needed to vent. It’s little things. Our house backs to a street so even if she’s in our fenced backyard, she barks at people walking by. One night I got shamed by a neighbor when she barked and so now I’m stressed about even letting her out in the morning or at night in my own yard and she start barking and I can’t get back in fast enough.

OP, please don’t take this the wrong way. Have you considered anxiety meds for yourself?

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I feel the same way - lots of kids, they wanted a dog and got the first one they saw even though I said to do lots of research first. The one thing I said was that I didn't want a barker - well, the dog barks incessantly every time he is put into his crate. No amount of (expensive) training has cured her of that. I say give the dog away and replace her with an easier dog. Your child will eventually forget the hard dog and love the easier dog. Make the child who cares the most for the other dog help you choose the easier one. I'm nearly there too.

This is disgusting. Truly repulsive.

Anyone who gets rid of a dog, barring aggression or some other unsolvable problem (this does not sound like one) should not get another dog.

Anonymous wrote:I feel the same way - lots of kids, they wanted a dog and got the first one they saw even though I said to do lots of research first. The one thing I said was that I didn't want a barker - well, the dog barks incessantly every time he is put into his crate. No amount of (expensive) training has cured her of that. I say give the dog away and replace her with an easier dog. Your child will eventually forget the hard dog and love the easier dog. Make the child who cares the most for the other dog help you choose the easier one. I'm nearly there too.

Anonymous wrote:PSA to everyone: This is why you adopt adult dogs whose personalities are already established- and then do a foster-to-adopt to make sure they fit with your lifestyle/family.

OPs story is all too familiar and what happens when you go for that adorable puppy and then can't handle it when they grow up with issues (probably issues they got from how they were raised/socialized).

OP - just give the dog back to the rescue and they will do their homework to match it with a family that is able to handle it. It sounds like a bad situation for your home. Please don't get another pet.